The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-09-18
JAPAN CONC AHEAD
Treaty Revision Japanese Laws 70 be
Ced1ned

TOXIC, Aug. 16.--The readers OF Tile SUN
havo heard from time to time Of treaty re-
vision In japan, and, not unnaturally they
may have wondered II thcy gave tho subject
thought. why tho work OF revision was 80 pro-
traoted, and yot apparently never any nearer
conclusion. Doubtless, like all Americana,
they take kindly interest In this far-on en-
pire. with which America has had 90 much to
do. and l therefore venture to hope that some
account OF tho wearlsomo struggle through
which Japan has been passing may not be de-
void Of interest for them.
30 much Of introduction is necessary be-
cause tho subject is not one In which II can
reasonably be expected that the general public
will BIO greatly Interested. And yot, II 1t were
but known, tho gnmo in International politics
which has now for 80 long time been In
progress here. Ia ono In which oven tho casual
spectator may find food for interesting refloc-
tion. 1t Is not merely a question Of ordinary
trenty changes which the Japanese arc en-
deavoring to solve. Their attcmpt Is fraught
with much moro Significance both for thom-
selves and for other nntions They arc. In fact,
endeavor!ng to OBJECT o radical departure from
all the traditions OF Oriental diplomacy. and to
place their country In n position to which no
other Eastern nation has ever asptred.
Hitherto the East and the West have been like
oil and wator-they might moot, but they could
mover minglo rs harmonious whole. Their
relations have always remained upon footing
OF guarded reserve, oftentimcs OF suspicious
jealousy. Each has despised the other, and
neither has striven to remove the barriers OF
race prejudice. Japan, however, so far at least
rs her own rotations with the West are con-
corned, now seeks to change this. She alone
OF Oriental countries gives practical evidence
Of desire to enter tho family OF civilized
aNI
ditions Us tho rest OF its members.
Recognizing the causes which have
given to Europe and America tho advantages
they possess. she is eager to secure and to
assimilate tho clements which have contribute
ed to create those advantages. not alone as re-
CARDS mere material progress. but also In re-
spect Of tho subtler yet moro powerful agents
which arc tho motive power Of modern life.
The desire for revision Of the treaties.
whether as cause or effect, has naturally boon
a powerful factor In this movement. 1t first
took practical shape in 1882 whom a confer
tended over several months, bu! finally termi-
mated In what was virtually deadlock. This
result to S sausS EGy
. revision q the tariff q is$s, sonsthins she
also wished to elrcct an ARRANGEMENT having
III view the ultimate abolition of exterrltori-
or az least " shs@ eRH
concede some increase Of tariff rates. but de-
mnnded, in return. concessions regarding for
ei.n travel and trade In tho interior. which tho
Japanese Government Justly regarded as In
yofying a dangerous extension Of consular
alternative, tho opening Of tho empire and the
OF 81 on rhss
to try all cases In which foreigners wore inter-
ested, This solution was not. however, ac-
ference. as before intimated. adjourned without
accomplishing any definite result. -,
ses
nlent Of the question. of revision. Keeping this
object steadily in view they sbored to such
florence was convened at TOXIC for the purpose
Of consIdoring tho treaty revision in al its de-
carried on with several Of tho principal treaty
powers, which had led to the formulation Of q
scheme for M IN bTSi q an an
applicability OF Japanese law to foreigners an
increase OF the powers OF Japanese courts, and
cd. moreover that the trentes, Of which these
provisions were to form part, should them
advancing this scheme the Japanese Govern:
ment wont OH the principle that half loaf
o the
been prepared 10 assume ne responsibilities
It seemed to them that the better way out Of
through gradual and easy stages. exterrltori-
be Gs BY to ss
solution which they had proposed would not
meet with general acceptanee in the confer I1sa
Of negotiations very, similar to that Of 1882
Seemed probable the British and GSIm AN
reVison co nnfs1 Known o theseoiter as tho
stance. ropstsion q the sGhemre PropSSssssd Ry
eea based ss Upon 0 the condition that. or
should employ foreign judges to ~ cases in
which foreigners were interested. The Japan
ss op es hem
selves had brought forward. subsequently It
was accepted. in principle. by all OF the foreign
80 far as its main provisions went the Anglo
German project was p iaiIn and = simple soi uo
lacked clearness il certain directions. but
all such defects which could have been cas-
iy remedied. The conference detts'rnhi an
tiois, and when once the work Of elaboration
had been thus begun. difficulties arose which
an Pouts wsR nc
their first statement became anything but
they had the fire OF
upon tie other; japan was willing 10 concedo
haps most Of the treaty powers had no desire
to demand anything that was not fair and Just.
But thore was critical spirit In the air; jeal;
ousies and suspicious had been aroused. and
as unanimity was necessary, oven In agree
ment to the simplest propositlon. It was OK S.
conference except in the way Of, compromise.
II might be- said In explanation alton that the sitaa
cuse for the utmost caution on the part OF tho
negotiators. There certainly was no precedent
for the treaty which the conference was en- 20,
ovitnble that precautions should have been
taken and guarantees demanded, which. under
ordinary circumstances. would have been I'M
necessary; However that may have been. the
ton. so called, to which the conference agreed
IN April last, differed In many respects from
posed to be merely an elaboration. II the con.
yention was defective in anything the fault
lay in tho minute manner In Which II dealt with
the most favorable solution which. under the
circumstances, 1t was possible for the Japanese
delegates to have secured: but equally beyond
doubt It had, in several particulars, tho ap, ,
less vexatious restrictions upon Japan's free
dom OF action. This was nowhere moro APP
Darent than in the lack OF precision In tho